Chapter 247: Gathering of Friends
"Heh," Daisy chuckled, her earlier, slightly resentful expression vanishing, replaced by a bright, almost cunning smile. "Grandpa mentioned you're a Pokémon Breeder, Big Brother Xiu. Is that true?"
"Something like that," Xiu replied, his attention still ostensibly on his research notes. "Studied for the certification, but my practical skills are… average." He kept his head down, feigning absorption in his work. Women, Pokémon, complex chemical formulas… all capable of derailing my focus if I'm not careful.
They chatted idly for a while longer. Or rather, Daisy chatted, and Xiu offered some words of acknowledgment. He noticed she seemed particularly interested in his past experiences before coming to Pallet Town.
Eventually, Daisy seemed to realize his mind was elsewhere. She paused, then looked at him with a new intensity. "Big Brother Xiu," she began, her voice softer now, more serious, "may I ask you a few questions? About Pokémon?"
Xiu finally looked up, alertness in his eyes. "What kind of questions?"
"Is that a yes?" Daisy pressed, her eyes shining with a hopeful, almost pleading light.
Xiu closed his notebook with a sigh, resigned. He leaned back, squinting slightly against the morning sun filtering through the trees. "Ask away. But I can't guarantee my answers will be what you're looking for."
"What," Daisy began, her voice earnest, "do you truly think a Pokémon is?"
The question, so broad, so philosophical, caught Xiu off guard. What does she mean by that? "A Pokémon?" he repeated, stalling for time. He then offered the standard, almost cliché, answer.
"They're our partners, aren't they? Companions who support us, who journey with us through life." He then turned the question back on her. "What do you think they are, Daisy?"
"Pokémon… are just Pokémon," she replied, her answer surprisingly enigmatic, almost dismissive.
Xiu stared at her, speechless. That's… not an answer...
"Tell me your stories with them, Big Brother Xiu!" Daisy urged, shifting closer, her gaze fixed on Scizor and Abra training in the distance. "With your Scizor and Abra. How did you meet them?"
"There's no grand story," Xiu said, reopening his notebook, a clear signal he considered the topic closed. "We met. We formed a partnership. The end." Who does she think I am, some shonen protagonist with a dramatic backstory for every companion?
The conversation, which had briefly shown a spark of potential, immediately reverted to its earlier awkwardness. But Daisy's curiosity, far from being dampened, only seemed to intensify.
He could feel her eyes on him, not just observing, but studying him with a focused gaze that was beginning to make his skin crawl. She's not just making small talk.
She's probing, but for what? He didn't think there was anything particularly remarkable about him, aside from his unusual Pokémon. So why this persistent, almost obsessive interest from Professor Oak's granddaughter?
He endured her relentless, if polite, questioning for a while longer, frustration mounting. Eventually, even Daisy seemed to sense she was making no headway, so she shifted her attention, her gaze landing on Xiaochun, who was quietly attempting to engage the Pidgey in some basic training exercises nearby.
Xiu tensed. He could tolerate Daisy's irritating curiosity directed at himself. But Xiaochun… she was a different matter. If Daisy, despite her well-meaning, provoked or upset her… Xiaochun's reactions could be unpredictable.
And if Daisy gets so much as a scratch, Oak will have my hide. The Professor already harbored reservations about Xiaochun's presence.
He had to redirect Daisy's attention, and quickly. "Actually, Daisy," Xiu interjected, his tone casual, "I was just about to head over to the Murasame Botanical Garden. Rinko is expecting me. Would you care to join me?" He knew the Murasame and Oak families were old friends.
As expected, Daisy's attention snapped back to him instantly, her eyes lighting up. "Rinko-san's place? Oh, that would be wonderful! I haven't seen her in ages!"
Xiu mentally sighed in relief. Luring the tiger away from the mountain. After giving Xiaochun a few brief instructions – and a warning look to keep the Pidgey out of trouble – he set off with Daisy. He deliberately chose to walk, rather than take the motorcycle, hoping the slower pace would satisfy Daisy's need for conversation and tire her out.
As they walked, Xiu no longer felt the pressure of talking to an extrovert, so he found himself relaxing slightly. He even initiated some light conversations, and with Daisy eager to chat, readily divulged snippets of information about the Murasame family from her own family's long association with them.
What surprised Xiu the most was that Rinko's parents had been not just skilled botanists, but also exceptionally powerful Pokémon Trainers. "At least, that's what Grandpa said."
The Murasame family, it seemed, had once been quite wealthy, possessing significant landholdings and business interests beyond the botanical garden. But after the 'accidental' deaths of Rinko's parents, those assets had… vanished.
Leaving a young Rinko, not even ten years old, with only the isolated botanical garden and the old villa. A huge blow for a child that age, Xiu thought, genuine empathy stirring within him. To lose her parents and the places she's been to with them all in such a short, brutal span of time…
His previous life had known suffering and hardship, but nothing on that scale and age. Her resilience and dedication to preserving her parents' legacy, teaching herself, surviving alone in that isolated place… it's remarkable.
Rinko wasn't just a naive, sheltered botanist. This was a survivor. Someone who had endured profound loss, betrayal, and quite possibly, hidden threats. Teaching herself, surrounded by enemies, guarding her family's secrets for a decade…
In Xiu's mind, Rinko's story began to sound like a protagonist's origin arc. All she needed now was a catalyst, an opportunity to reclaim what was stolen, and the drive to seek justice for her parents.
His conversation with Daisy, however, also hinted at something more. She spoke of old family rumors, whispers about the 'true' nature of the Murasame family, of a hidden legacy…
As the metal dome of the botanical garden came into view through the trees, Daisy, with a sudden burst of youthful energy, broke into a run, leaving Xiu behind, calling out, "Race you to the villa!"
Xiu watched her go, a thoughtful expression on his face. He continued at his own leisurely pace. He knew Rinko wouldn't be at the villa at this time of day. She would be in the greenhouses.
He entered the humid interior, senses immediately assaulted by the scent of exotic flora. He found Rinko in a secluded section, meticulously recording data in a notebook with Gloom accompanying her.
"Rinko," Xiu greeted her.
"Xiu!" Rinko looked up, her face lighting up with a pleased smile. She held up her notebook. "I've made some fascinating new discoveries with the purple flower! Come, you must see this!"
"We'll get there in a moment," Xiu replied, an amused glint in his eye. "But first… look who's here to see you." He stepped aside.
Rinko looked past him, expression curious. A moment later, Daisy burst through a curtain of hanging vines, laughing breathlessly, running straight towards Rinko who was caught by surprise and could only instinctively raise her arms as Daisy threw herself into an enthusiastic hug. "Daisy! What a wonderful surprise! Why are you here?"
"Rinko! It's been so long!" Daisy exclaimed, clinging to her. The height difference between the two young women was striking; Daisy, even at her height, barely reached Rinko's shoulder.
Daisy finally released her embrace, stepping back, beaming. "Aren't you surprised to see me, Rinko?"
"Of course! Why didn't you tell me you were visiting Pallet Town?" Rinko replied, a warm smile gracing her features.
"I only arrived yesterday afternoon," Daisy explained. "And I've been rather busy dealing with family matters." She then turned her gaze towards Xiu, her smile turning mischievous. "Big Brother Xiu here seems to be quite familiar with you already, Rinko. How long have you two known each other, hmm?"
Xiu met Daisy's playful, probing gaze with a helpless shake of his head. "Longer than I've known you, Daisy," he replied dryly.
Daisy blinked, momentarily stumped by his direct answer. She looked around awkwardly, then her eyes widened slightly as she took in the subtle changes to the greenhouse.
The botanical garden was indeed quite different from what she remembered.